UNIQUE DEFENCE SYSTEMS FROM ISRAEL
IAI Ramta developing new mine and IED detection system
Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) Ramta Division has completed the last phase of engineering testing and has begun building a technology demonstrator of the multisensor ‘MIDS’ (Mines and IED Detection System) for detecting deep buried and surface-laid mines and Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs).
MIDS will be deployed on a rugged, commercial, light tracked or wheeled (manned and/or unmanned) engineering vehicle according to operator needs. It will operate advanced ground-penetrating radar ( GPR) and metal detector ( MD) arrays in high threat environments to identify deep buried and surface laid mines / IEDs along the advancing route of manoeuvring forces. The two main arrays (GPR and metal detector) produce data combined to analyse readings in real time, minimising false alarms from nonthreatening materials such as rocks, wood and other debris.
An onboard IAI-manufactured electrooptic payload with day/ night cameras provides remote operators with situational awareness and enable visual surveillance from a safe distance. On-board navigation systems allow the vehicle to travel along a precise series of pre- programmed or operator designated waypoints and record and transmit the exact location of such discovered threats. The MIDS will carry a remotely operated weapon system slaved to the electro-optic payload for self-defence against enemy action or for detonating threats on the operator’s command. The system will also be equipped with a small dozer blade able to clear obstructions, and a lane-painting/marking system for designating both a safe path for following vehicles or troops and for outlining the location of discovered threats.
The development and construction of this technology demonstrator is taking place at the company’s Beer-Sheva facility,and slated to be ready for field-trials by the end of 2014.